The current school year is flying by and is already more than halfway complete, which means the 2026–27 school year will be here before we know it.

In preparation, Denair Elementary Charter Academy (DECA) is now accepting registrations for kindergarten and transitional-kindergarten students. The early registration deadline is May 5.

Beginning in kindergarten, in order to support a rich learning environment with a multicultural focus, DECA offers two program options: a traditional program and a Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program.

The traditional program provides classroom instruction in English, with students receiving 30 to 40 minutes of Spanish instruction two to three days per week in the language lab.

The DLI program begins in kindergarten and delivers instruction in Spanish for a designated portion of the school day. In kindergarten, approximately 90 percent of instruction — including Spanish language arts — is taught in Spanish, while students receive English instruction in the language lab. As students advance through the grade levels, English instruction gradually increases until a balanced 50-50 model is achieved.

Returning students are guaranteed classroom placement; however, space in the DLI kindergarten program is limited.

“We only have 48 spots for dual-language kindergarten,” said DECA Principal Crystal Sousa. “Those spots are prioritized for families who complete the enrollment process and attend a mandatory orientation meeting.”

Three DLI parent orientation meetings are slated for March 6 and March 11 at 9 a.m., and March 18 at 5 p.m. All the meetings will be held in Room 25, and Spanish translators will be present.

Families will receive orientation details once the enrollment process is completed.

“While there is no dual-language transitional kindergarten program, all TK students are introduced to Spanish foundations during language lab time, which averages about 70 minutes per week,” Sousa pointed out.

To be eligible for kindergarten, students must turn 5 years old by Sept. 1, 2026 (a birthday between Sept. 2, 2020, and Sept. 1, 2021). Transitional-kindergarten students must turn 4 by Sept. 1, 2026 (a birthday between Sept. 2, 2021, and Sept. 1, 2022). Prospective students must also be up to date on age-appropriate vaccinations.

For more information, contact the DECA office at 209-632-8887.